Stories of Jehovah Jireh (God Provides)
Dar Es Salaam Bible School Faith Promises

During the missions challenge on Monday, April 24, a man made a significant faith promise.  He had no knowledge that he and his family would face a crisis that week.

Because he was unable to fully pay a debt, he was incarcerated the following Sunday.  On Monday his wife received an unexpected check in the mail and faced a dilemma: pay the faith promise or use the money for their family's needs.  Because she and her husband had already agreed to trust the Lord, she paid the faith promise.  Two weeks later her husband was released from jail -- their large debt paid in full.  A miracle of grace and a miracle of supply.  Truly God is faithful!

A man reports that he made his faith promise intending to pay it by December, if the Lord supplied.  Through prayer, he felt strongly impressed to give the money immediately.  It was a large amount to give at this time, but he gave by faith the next week.  The day after the money was given, an unexpected series of events returned the funds -- and a little bit more -- seed for future planting.

"Today we put a check in the mail for $1,500.  When the challenge was given to believe God for what we could do, I was reminded that we had two pickups.  I intended to sell the older one and give whatever I got to the project.  I figured it would bring $1,000 to $1,500.  We promised the proceeds from the sale of the pickup. 

In the mean time someone became interested in the newer pickup, which we were still making payments on.  They ended up buying the newer one for exactly what I paid for it two years ago.  I was able to pay my [faith promise] in full ($1,500) and pay off what I owed on the pickup.  We also had money left over to buy a new freezer as our old early 70's model had finally given up the ghost two days ago.  We still had money left over to pay on another debt we had. 

I strongly believe obeying God is why my pickup sold when it did.  I had tried to sell it for over a year now and had not gotten anywhere on it.  PTL! 

In looking at the thermometer (on the website), it looks like we need a boost to get this going.  I hope others will experience the same blessing we have in being a part of this."

A missionary writes, "I returned from a fantastic time of ministry... among my mail was your well written letter of August 15 concerning the Dar Bible School project. It challenged our faith and it is a pleasure to give an accountability report to say that [my wife] and I paid our commitment of $1200 this week.  I can not think of a better place to use Kingdom resources. I am humbled to see how the Lord allows these funds to flow through us."

One man shares this story: "Back in February 2006 I fell and hurt my knee and it required x-ray's and an MRI.  At the time, I was told by my insurance agent that the procedures would be covered by my health insurance.  After the procedures were done, my insurance provider told me the treatment did not cost enough for my insurance to kick in so I had to take care of the medical bills another way -- I had to pay them myself.  As a result I was not able to complete the faith promise I made to the Dar Es Salaam Bible School, which was for $1200. 

I had taken this issue to the Lord in prayer many different times, but I was getting desperate and in October 2006, almost eight months after my knee injury, I went to the Lord again concerning this faith promise.  I specifically remember saying to God, "Lord you told me to promise this much money, so it has to be You that gives the money."  On the day that I prayed that prayer I went to the mail box, and as I opened it I saw at letter from Africa's Hope that let me know what was going on with the Bible School project - and right under the Africa's Hope letter was an envelope from my insurance provider; there was a check in that envelope for $1250!  Praise The Lord!

It just proves that when the Lord says  He is going to do something, He means it!  All the praise and glory to God!

My prayer is that this will inspire other people to fully trust in God to provide all their needs!  Philippians 4: 19, 'And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.' "

"I'm writing to tell you how I was able to raise the money for my missions pledge.

During last District Council [2006] I felt as though I was supposed to give to the Bible school in for the amount of $120.  I did not have the funds to do this.  I took some of my money out of the bank and bought a calf for $200.  We raised it, and when I sold her, she sold for $490.  I paid my tithe, my pledge, and the bank.

God will take care of all our needs."

This testimony is from a 10 year old girl.  It is notable that her parents did not discourage this act of faith and obedience, but rather encouraged it.  It is also notable that she is learning that God is faithful to supply all her needs through Christ Jesus.

A pastor and his wife made a commitment of $3,000 to the Bible School.  Circumstances caused them to use all the funds they thought would be available to meet this faith promise -- and then they forgot about it...until December, when the Holy Spirit reminded them of their commitment.  They prayed and asked God how they could keep their promise.  They heard the Lord speak to their hearts that He wanted their camping trailer.  They didn't think they were hearing clearly since it was January and a bad time to sell a used camping trailer, but they committed to giving what He asked.  The pastor said that he thought they could get maybe half what they promised.

After listing the trailer on an auction site, they began getting bids immediately and the winning bid was more than what they had purchased the trailer for a few years ago.  Not only that, they will be able to give several hundred dollars more than they promised in faith. 

But the story doesn't end there!  When the pastor and his wife met with the buyers to deliver the trailer,  they discovered the buyers were also Christians who had a love for missions.  They were thrilled to have been used by God to help others bless the Kingdom and they received a double blessing in return -- a camping trailer and a new friendship.  God is fully able to do exceedingly abundantly above what we ask or think -- when we simply obey His leading.